Looking for a big brisket

[Nyleve]

Where is the best place to pick up a big brisket for a decent price? I'm looking for something probably at least 10 lbs (or so) for oven-braising (not BBQ). I'll be feeding the thankless hordes for a Passover seder and brisket a la Jewish mother is always a big favourite at our house. I've gotten fairly large brisket at Costco but usually have to buy two of them and often they're trimmed a bit too lean.

[Moimoi]

Sunny Supermarket. Never seen better prices, including flank steak.

[LUV_TO_EAT]

Butcher Shoppe if you're in the south west end. or Chicago 58 in the north west.

[Oatz]

Uppercut Meats @ St Lawrence Mkt
They will give you your choice and trim it to fit right in front of you
Cryovac'd and ready to go

[Nyleve]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably try either European Poultry and Meats or Skyland. Also dug up Globe Meats - depends on which side of the city I'll be on.

As for Nortown, to be absolutely blunt, I want to keep the cost down for this crowd. They're a bunch of vacuum cleaners and wouldn't know a quality piece of meat if it landed on their heads - plus they're notoriously cheap, so I'm not overly inclined to spend more than I absolutely must. This is a family command performance. With friends I'm much more generous (and friends tend to be more appreciative too). Terrible to say but it is what it is.

[Herne]

Nyleve you are a riot. Saying things that many dare not think. if I was in your shoes and with the same motivation I'd check out Costco again. If you can find 2 briskets with sufficient fat buy them. Costco has always had great meat in my experience and all you need is a couple of fattier pieces as I understand it.

[Nyleve]

Ha! I sent out a guilt-inducing email yesterday to the family which resulted in one offer to make the brisket but when I told him how big it needed to be, he offered to make half the brisket and suggested I get someone else to make the other half. The mental image of duelling briskets - to banjo music - is irresistible. I'm probably going to make the other half, thus negating the need for the giant brisket (see OP) - I'll just get a normal sized one from Costco. But I will remember these suggestions for another time - and there WILL be another time. Alas.

[pearlD]

Tell me about it!!! I am in Jamaica but coming home for Passover....I get my Brisket (usually a 'double' and about 9+ lbs) from 'my' Loblaws at Dupont & Christie... Not sure if this will work out this year, 'my'wonderful Butcher went to the 'Portland' Loblaws just before I left...and I was also told (but not from him) that Dupont Branch was going to have a major change early in the new year...I'm hoping that was a rumour...I will NOT shop at the Forest Hill Branch...I will a) either call him (Craig) or b) try the St. Clair West Sobeys..have had 'some luck' at that store previously.

p.s. I HATE brisket!!

[Herne]

Which one is the Forest Hill branch?

And how do find the parking at the Sobey's on St Clair near Yonge?

[pearlD]

The Loblaws Forest Hill is on the north side of St.Clair West, just East of Bathurst street (at traffic light). It's a huge store and I don't find it 'user' friendly.
Sobey's parking lot can be entered off St.Clair , there's a traffic light East of Yonge BUT for some reason, the entrance is closed off at times, it's easier to go to their 'other' entrance on Pleasant Blvd (1 block South of St.Clair on the North side of Pleasant) You have to pay for parking but you get it free when you spend $15. at Sobey's..keep your receipt.

[Herne]

Thanks for your reply. I thought it might be the big Loblaws that resembles a Super Store but don't find it too disagreeable give it s location. Thanks also for the Sobey's info. I have banking to do in the area and wondered if I could get it done on the same receipt

[pearlD]

I don't see why not...I've often shopped /done errands after shopping at Sobey's and purchasing the required amount for free parking and never been questioned by the parking attendant.
*
My brother -in- law loves FH Loblaws he thinks it's better than 'my' store...each to his /her own eh?

[Davwud]

Last one I bought was 11+lbs from European Meats.

DT

[elrik]

Galleria has some good looking angus ones with much better fat content than the ones I have seen/bought from skyland. Being a better cut it is pricier though. I believe it was $4 or $5 per pound.

[biggreenmatt]

Nortown is excellent quality, but you pay for it.

I've had good luck with the St. Lawrence butchers, too. Forget the damn name of the place, but it's the one on the western-ish side of the building, running north-south. They'll sort you out.

[Davwud]

Witeveens??

DT

[biggreenmatt]

It's the Upper Cut. Great stuff!

[faijay]

There is no better place for brisket than Nortown (Eglinton is their main store, but they have branches--check on line) It is essential that you order ahead. They make very good gefulte fish, either sweet or salt and good horse raddish is available there. It is a kosher style butcher, but the meat is not kosher.

[faijay]

Just re read my post. Nortown is not inexpensive, but honestly it's worth the extra money to get a properly butchered roast, with the right amount of fat. They sell single and double brisket.

[jayt90]

Skyland always has a few 10 lb briskets in cryovac, around $3/lb. There are usually some with good marbling and a fatty strip in the center.

http://www.skylandfoodmart.com/


I have done a tagine braise with one; it was tender and moist, maybe better than BBQ-smoked which may go dry.

[Daimon]

I've bought a whole Packers Brisket (untrimmed) from European Poultry & Meats. They are located near the Warden & Eglinton intersection. I'm not sure if they always have it in stock so you might want to call ahead. Can't remember the price but it was very reasonable.